A Moment of Peace

     No matter how hard she tried, Jeong-yeon couldn't help but grimace once she had a taste of the beef and radish soup she was in charge of cooking. Hopefully, no one of her friends noticed.

It was too salty. Apparently, what she thought was enough was more than enough. Having no choice but to add more water and some more leak to the already overflowing soup, she closed the lid and hoped it will turn out fine.

She was in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do for a two-day trip with the Bangtan Sonyeondan members, where they rented a private small property. Xiao, who just returned from China a week also joined with them. All of them have been very busy the last couple of months. Xiao, who had been trying her best to make it to her homeland’s market and BTS, with their tours and album preparations. Looking at them, anyone could clearly see that they badly needed the break. She understood the feeling of finally being able to breathe and not think about anything else but to relax, even for just a little bit. As much as they love what they do, being away from all the chaos of being a celebrity for a day or two can do a lot of things to someone who has been on the industry. People have no idea how much even an hour of silence can do to their peace of mind.  

Initially, she wasn’t supposed to join them since she didn’t want to intrude into their group’s getaway. But Jimin told her the trip won’t be only for them but for Xiao as well. It has been months since she last saw her friend, so she agreed. Ever since Jeong-yeon met her in a music show almost two years ago, they had formed a friendship. Knowing that their group was going through a rough patch at the moment, she couldn’t help but feel sad and angry. Fortunately, she has been doing a good job as a solo artist in China. Still, Jeong-yeon knew that the shy dancer was hoping to be continue working as an idol in the Korea. After all, it was that was the reason she worked so hard to be in a foreign country. Hopefully, she wouldn’t have to wait and suffer for a long time before everything gets settled.

“Eonnie, are you done with the chopping board?” Xiao asked her, breaking her from her thoughts.

“We have a one more here.” She reached out for the clean chopping board and gave it to her.  “Do you want some help over there?”

It appeared that Jin and the group missed her cooking, seeing as they requested a lot for her to do. Apart from being a good dancer, Xiao was also a good cook, one of the many things that Jin kept bragging about her.

Her friend shook her head. “I need to prepare some vegetables but Jin Oppa said he was making Japchae, so he probably needs help with that one.”

After asking Jin, she started gathering the vegetables needed for the sweet potato starch noodles.

“Hi.”

A soft voice came from beside her. She looked up and saw Suga’s girlfriend, Aralle, smiling shyly at her, with Suga standing beside her.

“Oh, hi Eonnie. You made it!”

She smiled apologetically at her. “I’m sorry for being late.”

Jeong-yeon initially though she was not coming since Suga caught a ride with them but Jimin told her that the director will be arriving late as she had a filming schedule.

Looking at her, it seemed that just like the rest of the group, she had been busy. There was no hiding the tired look in her eyes. “It’s fine, Eonnie. You’re here.”

“You can go and sit down for a little while first. Want me to get you some fruits?”

“Thank you but I’m fine.”

Suga spoke softly to his girlfriend. “I’ll just help Ho-seok with something inside. You can come with me if you want?”

After a refusal and reassuring smile from his girlfriend, he took off his jacket and helped her put it on, zipping it up for her. After a quiet thanks from Aralle, he walked towards the main house.

“Can I help you with anything?”

“You can slice the onions and the garlic, if you don’t mind.”

Something passed from the director’s eyes after hearing her, but it quickly went away. “Do you need it right away?”

She shook her head, silently wondering what just happened. “No, not really.”

This time she was certain she saw relieve in her eyes, her body relaxing. “Oh. Okay.”

“I’ll do it,” Jin’s gently told his friend, appearing in front of them, and started to gather the onions in front of her.

Aralle looked at her friend and shook her head. “It’s fine.”

“No, it’s fine. You go and wash these.” She quietly took the tray of fruits Jin passed to her.  

Jin just gave her a smile and went on reaching the chopping board and a knife. Knowing it was none of her business and it was probably nothing, she just let it go.

“Do you want this diced or what?”

“It’s for Xiao’s dish and for your Japchae as well.”

He nodded and looked around, eventually spotting Namjoon helping Xiao cook. Basing from Xiao’s expression, it seemed that she would rather have him leave. Well, knowing Namjoon, she wouldn’t be surprised.

“Xiao, do you need anything besides these onions? And careful with the fire please.”

“Some garlic and spring onions please. Oh, and the mushrooms.”

“The big ones?”

“All of them please. But I’ll do it. You can prepare for your Japchae first.”

“It’s fine. Yeon is here with me.”

“Thanks.”

Taehyung came back from helping Jimin bring out some chairs and table from the main house. “Hyung, do you need any help?”

Jin gestured to the dirty dishes on the table. “Wash those please.”

“Arrasseo.”

“Babe, careful.” Jimin told her gently, standing beside her, when he saw her open the lid of the pot.

“Does it taste good?”

She really hoped so. “I have no idea.”

She took a spoon, scooped some of the soup, and carefully guided it to his lips after cooling it down, eagerly waiting for his reaction.

“It’s good.”

Jeongyeon couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Her dad would really be disappointed if she couldn’t even make a beef and radish soup properly.

“Why are you so surprised?” he asked her, amused by her reaction.

“I thought it would be salty.”

“It’s good. Here, I’ll do it,” he took the pot holder from her and lifted the pot, taking it to the table.

She was playing with the fire when Jimin’s worried voice once again called out to her. “Babe stop doing that please.”

She looked at him guiltily but couldn’t help but continue waiving her hand near the fire.

Jimin gently grabbed her hands and helped her stand up. Frowning, he asked, “Are you cold?”

She smiled at him sheepishly and shook her head.

“Then don’t do that. You’ll burn your hand,” he said in a chastising voice.

“Yah, what are you doing?”

Suga’s annoyed voice had them turning to their friends who were gathered around one of the tables, where a portable camp stove was being used near the barbeque grill.

Taehyung looked at their older member, startled and confused. “Flipping it over.”

“That’s for Lle.” Suga answered, irritation written on his face, as if that explained everything.

Taehyung still didn’t understand. “Sorry. I thought I’d flip since it might get burned.”

“She likes sunny side up.” Jin finally clarified for him.

He smiled apologetically to Aralle. “Sorry Noona. I’ll make another one.”

Aralle, whose face was completely red, clearly from embarrassment, immediately waved her hand at him. “It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.”

“What is that?” Jimin asked her, pointing at a bag sitting on one of the desks she haven’t noticed before.

She shook her head and asked the group about it.

“Oh, I almost forgot about that.” Aral